- The Sports Minister on Tuesday amended the policy for para-athletes that makes them eligible for more cash awards
- He also handed over ₹ 1.82 crores to the medal winners of the Para-Badminton World Championships
- "We want to ensure that all athletes are provided the same facilities by the government." he said.
In an important decision, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday handed over ₹ 1.82 crores to the medal winners of the Para-Badminton World Championships after amending the policy for para-athletes that makes them eligible for more cash awards.
According to the amended guidelines, medal winners in world events and world championships “which are organised by the International Paralympic Committee as well as in events that are not organised by IPC, but organised by respective International Sports Federation and recognised by the International Olympic Committee, will be eligible for cash awards from the government”.
It has further been decided that medallists will be bestowed with the cash awards the same day they return India post an international event. Moreover, the athletes, as against earlier, will “not have to wait for a once-a-year ceremony”. IPC doesn’t organise para-badminton events. Under the previous rules, these players would not have been eligible for cash prizes from the government.
They are the stars of India✌ Let's salute our Para-Badminton players who brought laurels for India. Today, Sports Ministry took a decision to handover the cash money to every player at the time of arrival itself which would amount upto 20 lakhs per athlete. pic.twitter.com/kBFNTerNbD
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 27, 2019
The para-badminton players are the first set of athletes to receive their cash prizes under the modified guidelines. The shuttlers are returning after winning 12 medals at the recently-concluded World Championships in Basel, Switzerland.
The players met the Rijiju over lunch at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) where they were handed over the cheques. While the gold medalists received ₹ 20 lakh, the silver medallists went home with ₹ 14 lakh with bronze winners bagging ₹ 8 lakh each.
Medal winners at the doubles events bagged ₹ 15 lakh each for gold, ₹ 10.5 lakh for silver and ₹ 6 lakh each for a bronze medal.
“We want to ensure that all athletes are provided the same facilities by the government. The para-badminton team has performed very well and brought glory to the country, they deserve to be rewarded for their hard work,” Rijiju said.
Twitter Reactions
Here is how everyone reacted to the sports minister’s landmark decision:
Thank you so much @KirenRijiju sir for Honoring us. It was wonderful moment of my life. Rules was changed within day to just give all Para athletes cash Award on arrival. @RijijuOffice @Media_SAI#ParaBadminton #TeamIndia#Felicitation #MomentOfLife pic.twitter.com/8UhZpVKfzM
— Sukant Kadam (@sukant9993) August 28, 2019
Handing over player's prize money on arrival itself is a very nice and thoughtful gesture, Sir. ?
— Gomathi Karri Reddy ?? (@GomathiKarri) August 27, 2019
You are truly walking the talk. Great Job Sir. Utmost respect! pic.twitter.com/jOMHO0tykm
— mr.b.roy (@bishwajyoti) August 27, 2019
Sir we are proud of you. Your's way of interacting with every sportsperson is awesome . You motivate them for doing more and more.
— Vikash Verma (@vikashk66446466) August 27, 2019
